Home check

I took Jesse on a home check with me yesterday, 24th, and he behaved impeccably! What a clever boy.

He hasn't been out for a walk yet, I was going to take him tomorrow for the first time after the op, but it's pretty wet, so I might wait another day!

The wound is fine, hardly any bruising (thanks to arnica). He does wear the buster collar when he is not supervised as he does lick, but other than that, he is very good.

He already sniffs the other dogs privates a lot less, so it seems to have an effect already.

We also gave them bones tonight for some dental care... All went well until Jesse walked away from his bone, Dylan got too close and Jesse went for him (guarding from a distance). Luckily I was right there and could stop them before Jesse got to Dylan... So I took the bone up immediately (which I should have done in the first place). This is the only situation where we really have to watch them as they are all bone/chew guarders and although know the rules and don't go and pinch stuff (and therefore don't cause any problems), there are some situations where they will still go for each other - if they think that the other is taking an interest... even if they have finished with the bone! Naughty pups.

It doesn't worry me though as I know exactely what it is and they never get bones unsupervised. So it really isn't a problem.

Jesse is doing fine and a visit to my classes

Jesse is doing fine after the op. I did put the buster collar on him at night as he does nibble if not watched carefully... Same today, if I can't watch him, I put the buster collar on.

This morning, I took him to training class with me... not a particularly good move as he was quite distractive to the other dogs, but I didn't want to leave him at home unsupervised (Cornel was still in bed). He was quite aggressive, particularly to the puppies, which I knew he would be. It is the only place where he is like that... On walks he is fine and does not cause any problem, particularly off lead. On lead, he can be a bit funny - but I think that's mainly learnt behaviour copied from Dylan.

Once the hormones have worn off in a few weeks and I know that they don't influence his behaviour majorly anymore, then I will start with lots of work with him to get him fully back on track.

Jesse is neutered

Today, Jesse went in to be neutered. I was a nervous wreck until I knew that all had gone well. I picked him up at 2 pm. He was still very sleepy and only since about 11 pm, he is practically back to normal.

He had his dinner, which he ate ok. I have also got his new food (Exclusion Venison and Potato), so we'll see how we get on with that.

I am so glad that the neutering business is over now. I was so worried about it!

College

From 11th to 14th February (leaving on 10th) we went to college with Dylan, Flash and Jesse with us. They loved the Travelodge hotel and seemed much happier and settled than in Arras Farmhouse B&B... Not sure why.

There were loads of wild bunnies around the service station at night and I am sure that Flash and Dylan thought they were in heaven... LOL. Of course, they weren't allowed to chase and stayed on lead. Jesse didn't really bother with them as the only thing he chases is birds really.

22nd February - this Friday - it's Jesse's time to get neutered... I am not looking forward to this. He has actually calmed down quite a bit again re other dogs and humping, but it still needs to be done.

Some new pictures

On Sunday, 3rd February, Jesse had his bath (as usual at week-ends) and he looked lovely. I took some new pictures...(First after bath but pre blow-dry, then in all his glory...)

Look at me all wet...

And look at me now...

Time to be neutered

I have booked Jesse in to be neutered on Friday, 22nd February! It is the first Friday that is suitable for both me and the vet.

It is high time that he gets done as he is now leaning towards aggressive with some male dogs and gets well over excited with the girls. Last night he marked twice in the training hall...

Neutering and Training

I have for the first time started to seriously consider neutering Jesse... in fact, I have over the last few days decided for good that he will be neutered. His behaviour is getting to a point where he stresses himself out around bitches and male dogs and it stresses me out. Over the last few days, he has also started to try to hump Flash frequently... unfortunately Flash doesn't tell him off! So I think it is time.

Yesterday, I took the three boys for a walk and we met a couple of dogs. They were off lead to start off with, so I let Flash and Jesse approach and called Dylan back. Both Flash and Jesse were fine with the dogs, and I was holding on to Dylan's harness. Dylan was interested, so I let him approach one of the dogs (which was put on the lead in the meantime) and Dylan suddenly snapped at it! And as he did that, Jesse went for the other dog that he was previously sniffing without any problems. So I had to stop both, appologised to the other owner and moved on.

This is the sort of thing that I think Jesse will hopefully be a lot less intense about once he is neutered. Although he is not an aggressive dog at all and will not generally initiate a fight, he is much more intense with other dogs than I would like - and I feel that is mainly hormone related. So hopefully, neutering will make him a bit more relaxed about this sort of thing. (Though I fully understand as well that it is Jesse's nature not to back down and on occasions go over the top - he has never been good at controlling his temper once he gets going...).

I tried to book him in this Friday or next Friday to be castrated, but they can't do it as they have only got one vet on. I have booked him in for this Thursday, but that's not really a good idea as I want time off after that. So I will reschedule that for a Friday at the end of February/early March... (Jesse will be 14 months old then).

Some New Year's pictures

We had a lovely walk in the morning...





And then Jesse got a bath (which after the pictures above was inevitable). He has his eyes closed in most pictures because he was very tired after a long walk where he played lots with a little terrier friend and then being bathed and blow-dried...

Jesse's 1st BIRTHDAY!

I can't believe that it's already Jesse's first birthday today on 26th December! It's almost a year since I got these first pictures of Jesse and his mum and sibblings:


And look at him now! What a handsome chap he has grown into! (All pictures taken today... and ignore the muddy feet and ears please... LOL).






Doesn't he look a right snob in this one... LOL

Unfortunately there was no party or anything special as I had the flu... I managed to give the boys a good walk though, which they enjoyed!

Jesse's 1st CHRISTMAS

It was Jesse's first Christmas this year. He had a good time and all the dogs got a present each as well as a pig's ear - which they loved. In the afternoon, we went to my parents-in-law to have Christmas Dinner and Jesse came with us as usual. He loved it and got his very own Christmas Dinner too.

Here's some pictures from the morning when they got their presents: